The Truth About Perennial Maintenance

Published: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 08:50:57

By: CL Fornari

Are perennials really less work than annuals? Some tips for creating great looking gardens.

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Customers frequently come into the garden center saying that they are tired of all the work involved in planting annuals. “Where are the perennials?” they ask. “I want something that’s low maintenance.”

Although most perennials come back from year to year, they aren’t necessarily going to provide the carefree garden people imagine. Some perennials need frequent editing or dividing because they spread rapidly or self-seed around the garden. Others need deadheading or trimming throughout the season for the garden to look its best. And perennial gardens always need weeding.

As part of Hyannis Country Garden’s consultation service, I visit properties throughout the area and have frequently helped clients who are unhappy with their perennial beds. Most don’t care for how these gardens look because they haven’t kept up with the weeding, and once a perennial bed is infested with weeds it’s hard to get it clear again. Weeds will grow inside clumps of perennials as well as in between them.

To keep your perennial garden looking its best, be sure to weed your beds at least three times a year. Pull weeds in spring, mid-summer and fall at the very minimum. Applying a two-inch layer of mulch in April or early May will help keep weeds at bay as well.

Another tip for creating great looking gardens is to mix shrubs, perennials and annuals together. Using a combination of plants will create a beautiful landscape filled with flower and foliage color. Just keep pulling those weeds.

Photo: Weeds will appear out of the blue in mid-summer! This carpet spurge, on the left, and crabgrass are two that are found in most perennial gardens in July and August. Photo 2: This garden contains a mix of perennials, annuals and shrubs. Although this photo doesn't show it, I'm sure that there are weeds in the bed as well! Weeding is an on-going activity and pulling unwanted plants out of the garden regularly will keep your landscape attractive.